1. The effect of dexamethasone administration for 3 days on urinary kallikrein excretion was studied in 12 normal men with normal sodium intake (n=6) or low sodium intake (n=6). Urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, aldosterone and water was also measured in all subjects.
2. Dexamethasone administration was associated with a significant increase in urinary kallikrein excretion (F3, 30 = 6.9; P < 0.001) regardless of sodium intake. No significant correlation could be established between the increase in urinary kallikrein excretion and changes in urinary sodium, potassium, 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, aldosterone or water.
3. These results suggest that dexamethasone can exert a direct action on the renal kallikrein-kinin system.
